WO2021087995A1

WO2021087995A1 - Positioning method and device

Info

Publication number: WO2021087995A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/116750
Authority: WO
Inventors: 郝金平
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2019-11-08
Filing date: 2019-11-08
Publication date: 2021-05-14

Abstract

The present application provides a positioning method and a device. In the method, the identifier of a cell where a terminal device resides after being handed over from a source network device to a target network device is sent to a network device with a deployed LMF for positioning the terminal device, so that the LMF can learn the cell where the terminal device, on which cell handover occurs during positioning, resides, and thereby can position the terminal device. The positioning method and device provided in the embodiments of the present application can avoid the problem that the LMF cannot sense the cell handover of the terminal device, which causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover, and fail to position the terminal device.

Description

Positioning method and equipment

Technical field

This application relates to communication technology, and in particular to a positioning method and equipment.

Background technique

5G communication systems can support different services, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services, massive machine type communication (MTC) services, ultra-reliable and low latency communications , URLLC) services, multimedia broadcast multicast (MBMS) services, and positioning services. Among them, the positioning service is a location service based on positioning technology. This service can obtain the location information of the user holding the terminal device (such as the user's longitude and latitude coordinates) through the communication network of the operator, and combine it with the geographic information system (geographic information system). , GIS), to provide users with value-added services based on location query.

In the existing positioning architecture of the 5G communication system, the location management function (LMF) is deployed on the core network side in the form of a network element, which can be based on the location request transmitted by the access management function (AMF) network element Position the terminal equipment to realize the above-mentioned positioning service. With the evolution of 5G technology, a preliminary idea of deploying LMF on network equipment is currently proposed to enable network equipment to have a positioning function. In this way, the LMF can be deployed on the radio access network side, or in other words, the positioning function can be deployed on the radio access network side.

However, when using the LMF on the wireless access network side to locate the terminal device, if the terminal device switches from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, it may happen that the LMF cannot detect that the terminal device has a cell. Handover causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs, which causes the problem that the LMF fails to locate the terminal device. Therefore, when using the LMF deployed on the network equipment to locate the terminal equipment, that is, when using the LMF on the radio access network side to locate the terminal equipment, how to make the LMF know the terminal equipment after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process The residential area is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method and device, which are used to solve the problem of how to enable the LMF on the radio access network side to learn the cell where the terminal device that has undergone a cell handover during the positioning process resides after the handover.

In the first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that the target network device switches the terminal device from the source network device after the terminal device switches from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device The process of sending the identity of the cell where the target network device resides to the first network device where the positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. Specifically, the target network device sends a path switching request to the access management device, where the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The target network device receives a path switch request confirmation from the access management device, where the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device. For example, the path switch request confirmation includes the location information of the location management device that locates the terminal device, where the location management device is deployed on the first network device, and the location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Then, the target network device sends a first message to the first network device, the first message containing the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

Through the above method, the positioning management device deployed on the side of the first network device can learn from the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device. Cell, which can locate terminal equipment. This method can avoid that the positioning management equipment on the wireless access network side cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal equipment, causing the positioning management equipment to fail to know the cell where the terminal equipment resides after the cell handover, and causing the positioning management equipment to locate the terminal equipment The problem of failure.

As a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. For example, the identifier of the terminal device may be a temporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI) of the terminal device. By sending the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device, and the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device, the positioning management device can be made accurate and fast Knowing the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs, which further improves the positioning efficiency.

In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method. The method describes that after the terminal device is switched from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, the access management device removes the terminal device from the source network device. The process of sending the identity of the cell where the target network device resides after switching to the target network device to the first network device where the positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. Specifically, the access management device receives a path switching request from the target network device, and the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The access management device sends a path switch request confirmation to the target network device, and the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device. The access management device sends a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The first network device is deployed to locate the terminal device. Locate the network device of the management device.

Through the above method, the positioning management device deployed on the first network device side can be made aware of the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, and learns that the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process In this way, the terminal equipment can be located. This method can avoid that the positioning management equipment on the wireless access network side cannot perceive that the terminal equipment has undergone a cell handover, causing the positioning management equipment to fail to know the cell where the terminal equipment resides after the cell handover, causing the positioning management equipment to fail to locate the terminal equipment The problem.

As a possible implementation manner, the path switching request confirmation includes the location information of the location management device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. In this way, the target network device can learn that the location management device is locating the terminal device according to the location information of the location management device included in the path switching request confirmation, and that the location management device is deployed on the first network device. In this way, it can be ensured that the target network device can timely deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the positioning management device through the first network device, without waiting for instructions from the positioning management device, and positioning efficiency is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. For example, the identification of the terminal device may be the TMSI of the terminal device. By sending the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device, and the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device, the positioning management device can be made accurate and fast Knowing the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs, which further improves the positioning efficiency.

In the third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that the source network device and the target network device switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the target network through a handover process based on the access management device When the cell is located under the device, the target network device switches the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device after switching the identity of the cell where the target network device resides, and sends it to the location management device that locates the terminal device and is located on the side without the access network. process. Specifically, the target network device receives a handover request from the access management device, the handover request is used to request to switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device, and the handover request contains the location information of the location management device for the terminal device. , Where the location management device is deployed on the first network device, and the location information of the location management device may be, for example, an identifier of the first network device. After the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, it sends a first message to the first network device. The first message contains information about the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Logo.

For example, after sending a handover request confirmation to the access management device, the target network device sends the first message to the first network device. Alternatively, the target network device sends the first message to the first network device while sending the handover request confirmation to the access management device. Alternatively, the target network device sends the first message to the first network device before sending the handover request confirmation to the access management device. Wherein, the switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

As a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. For example, the identification of the terminal device may be the TMSI of the terminal device. By sending the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device, and the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device, the positioning management device can be made accurate and fast Knowing the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, which further improves the positioning efficiency.

In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that the source network device and the target network device switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the target network through a handover process based on the access management device In the cell under the device, the access management device sends the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, and sends it to the location management device that locates the terminal device and is located on the side of the non-access network . Specifically, the access management device sends a switching request to the target network device, where the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The access management device receives a handover request confirmation from the target network device, and the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The access management device sends a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The first network device is deployed to locate the terminal device. Locate the network device of the management device.

Through the above method, the positioning management device deployed on the first network device side can be made aware of the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, and learns that the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process In this way, the terminal equipment can be located. This method can avoid that the positioning management equipment on the wireless access network side cannot perceive that the terminal device has undergone a cell handover, which causes the positioning management equipment to fail to know the cell where the terminal equipment resides after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, causing the positioning management equipment to contact The problem of terminal device positioning failure.

As a possible implementation manner, the above handover request includes location information of the location management device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. In this way, the target network device can learn that the location management device is locating the terminal device according to the location information of the location management device included in the handover request, and that the location management device is deployed on the first network device. In this way, it can be ensured that the target network device can timely deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the positioning management device through the first network device, eliminating the need to wait for instructions from the positioning management device, and improving positioning efficiency.

In the fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that a source network device and a target network device switch a terminal device from a cell under the source network device to the target network through a handover process based on the access management device In the cell under the device, the source network device switches the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device and sends the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides, and sends it to the location management device that locates the terminal device and is located on the side of the non-access network . Specifically, the source network device sends a switching request to the access management device, where the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The source network device receives a handover request confirmation from the access management device, and the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The source network device sends a first message to the first network device, where the first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, and the first network device is deployed with the positioning of the terminal device Manage the network equipment of the equipment.

In the sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that the source network device and the target network device switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the target network device through the handover process based on the Xn interface The process in which the source network device sends the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device where the positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. Specifically, the source network device sends a switching request to the target network device, and the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The source network device receives a switch request confirmation from the target network device, and the switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The source network device sends a first message to the first network device, where the first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, and the first network device is deployed with the positioning of the terminal device Manage the network equipment of the equipment.

Through the above method, the positioning management device deployed on the side of the first network device can learn from the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device. Cell, which can locate terminal equipment. This method can avoid that the positioning management equipment on the wireless access network side cannot perceive that the terminal device has undergone a cell handover, which causes the positioning management equipment to fail to know the cell where the terminal equipment resides after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, causing the positioning management equipment to contact The problem of terminal device positioning failure.

As a possible implementation manner, the handover request includes location information of the location management device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. In this way, the target network device can learn that the location management device is locating the terminal device based on the location information of the location management device included in the handover request, and that the location management device is deployed on the first network device. In this way, it can be ensured that the target network device can timely deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the positioning management device through the first network device, without waiting for instructions from the positioning management device, and positioning efficiency is improved.

As a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. For example, the identification of the terminal device may be the TMSI of the terminal device. By sending the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device together with the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device, the positioning management device can be made accurate, and Quickly know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, which further improves the positioning efficiency.

In the seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that the source network device and the target network device switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the target network device through an Xn interface-based handover process When the target network device switches the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides is sent to the first network device where the positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. Specifically, the target network device receives a switching request from the source network device, the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the switching request includes the location information of the positioning management device for the terminal device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, an identifier of the first network device, and the location management device is deployed on the first network device. After the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, it sends a first message to the first network device. The first message contains information about the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Logo.

For example, after the target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the source network device, it sends a first message to the first network device. Alternatively, the target network device sends the handover request confirmation to the source network device and at the same time sends the first message to the first network device. Alternatively, the target network device sends the first message to the first network device before sending the handover request confirmation to the source network device. Wherein, the switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

Through the above method, the positioning management device deployed on the first network device side can be made aware of the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, and learns that the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process In this way, the terminal equipment can be located. This method can avoid that the positioning management equipment on the wireless access network side cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal equipment, causing the positioning management equipment to fail to know the cell where the terminal equipment resides after the cell handover, and causing the positioning management equipment to locate the terminal equipment The problem of failure.

In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a positioning method, which describes that the positioning management device deployed on the side of the first network device learns from the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device A process in which a terminal device resides after a cell handover, so that the terminal device can be located. Specifically, the first network device receives a first message from the target network device, or the source network device, or the access management device, and the first message contains information about the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Identifies that the first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. The location management device of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

As a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. For example, the TMSI of terminal equipment. Exemplarily, in this implementation manner, the positioning management device of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, which may include: the first network device According to the identity of the cell, and the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device, the terminal device is located. By sending the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device, and the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device, the positioning management device can be made accurate and fast Knowing the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs, which further improves the positioning efficiency.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes a sending module and a receiving module.

The sending module is used to send a path switching request to the access management device, and the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module is used to receive a path switch request confirmation from the access management device, and the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, for example, the path switch The request confirmation includes the location information of the location management device that locates the terminal device, and the location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identifier of the first network device. Among them, the positioning management device is deployed in the first network device. The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the first network device, where the first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device.

For the beneficial effects of the target network equipment provided by the above-mentioned ninth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, please refer to the beneficial effects brought by the above-mentioned first aspect and each possible implementation manner of the first aspect. Add more details.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an access management device, and the access management device includes: a receiving module and a sending module.

Wherein, the receiving module is configured to receive a path switching request from the target network device, and the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module is used to send a path switch request confirmation to the target network device, and the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The network device of the location management device.

In a possible implementation manner, the path switching request confirmation includes the location information of the location management device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device.

For the beneficial effects of the access management device provided by the foregoing tenth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, refer to the beneficial effects brought about by the foregoing second aspect and each possible implementation manner of the second aspect, here Do not repeat it.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes: a receiving module, a processing module, and a sending module.

Wherein, the receiving module is used to receive a handover request from the access management device, the handover request is used to request to switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device, and the handover request includes the location of the location management device for the terminal device. Information, the location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Wherein, the positioning management device is deployed on the first network device. The processing module is used to control the sending module to send a first message to the first network device after confirming that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, and the first message contains the terminal device after switching from the source network device to the target network device The identity of the cell where it resides.

In a possible implementation, the sending module is also used to send a handover request confirmation to the access management device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

For the beneficial effects of the target network equipment provided by each possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect and the eleventh aspect, refer to the beneficial effects brought about by the third aspect and the possible implementation manners of the third aspect. This is not repeated here.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an access management device. The access management device includes a sending module and a receiving module.

The sending module is used to send a switching request to the target network device, and the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module is configured to receive a handover request confirmation from the target network device, and the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The network device of the location management device.

In a possible implementation manner, the above handover request includes location information of the location management device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device.

For the beneficial effects of the access management device provided by the foregoing twelfth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, refer to the beneficial effects brought about by each possible implementation manner of the foregoing fourth aspect and fourth aspect, I won't repeat it here.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, the network device is a source network device, and the source network device includes a sending module and a receiving module.

The sending module is used to send a handover request to the access management device, and the handover request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module is configured to receive a handover request confirmation from the access management device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The network device of the location management device.

The beneficial effects of the source network equipment provided by the above-mentioned thirteenth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect can be referred to the beneficial effects brought by each possible implementation manner of the above-mentioned fifth aspect and the fifth aspect. This is not repeated here.

In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, the network device is a source network device, and the source network device includes a sending module and a receiving module.

In a possible implementation manner, the handover request includes location information of the location management device. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device.

The beneficial effects of the source network equipment provided by the foregoing fourteenth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the fourteenth aspect may refer to the beneficial effects brought about by the foregoing sixth aspect and the sixth aspect. This is not repeated here.

In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes a receiving module, a processing module, and a sending module.

Wherein, the receiving module is used to receive a handover request from the source network device, the handover request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the handover request contains the location information of the location management device for positioning the terminal device The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Among them, the positioning management device is deployed in the first network device. The processing module is used to control the sending module to send a first message to the first network device after confirming that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, and the first message contains the terminal device after switching from the source network device to the target network device The identity of the cell where it resides.

A possible implementation manner, the sending module, is also used to send a handover request confirmation to the source network device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

For the beneficial effects of the target network equipment provided by the possible implementations of the fifteenth aspect and the fifteenth aspect, please refer to the beneficial effects brought by the possible implementations of the seventh and seventh aspects. This is not repeated here.

In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, the network device is a first network device, and the first network device includes: a receiving module and a positioning management module.

Wherein, the receiving module is configured to receive a first message from the target network device, or the source network device, or the access management device, and the first message includes the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device , The first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. The positioning management module is used to locate the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The location management module may be, for example, the location management device deployed on the first network device as described in the foregoing method embodiment.

A possible implementation manner, the positioning management module, is specifically used to locate the terminal device according to the identity of the cell, and the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device.

For the beneficial effects of the first network device provided by the foregoing sixteenth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the sixteenth aspect, reference may be made to the beneficial effects brought about by the foregoing eighth aspect and each possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, I won't repeat it here.

In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device. The network device includes a processor and a memory. Wherein, the memory is used to store computer executable program code, and the program code includes instructions; when the processor executes the instructions, the instructions cause the network device to execute the possible implementation manners of the first aspect or the first aspect, or, the third aspect Or each possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or, each possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect or the fifth aspect, or, each possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect or the sixth aspect, or, each of the seventh aspect or the seventh aspect Possible implementation manners, or methods provided by the eighth aspect or each possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect.

In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an access management device. The access management device includes a processor and a memory. Wherein, the memory is used to store computer executable program code, and the program code includes instructions; when the processor executes the instructions, the instructions cause the access management device to execute the second aspect or each possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or, Four aspects or methods provided by each possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a communication device for implementing the above first aspect or each possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or, the third aspect or each possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or, The fifth aspect or each possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, or, the sixth aspect or each possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, or, the seventh or seventh aspect, each possible implementation manner, or, the eighth or the seventh aspect The unit, module, or circuit of the method provided by each possible implementation of the eight aspects. The communication device may be a network device or a module applied to the network device, for example, it may be a chip applied to the network device.

In the twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including the above-mentioned second aspect or each possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the fourth aspect or each possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect provided The unit, module or circuit of the method. The communication device may be an access management device, or a module applied to the access management device, for example, it may be a chip applied to the access management device.

In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip with a computer program stored on the chip, and when the computer program is executed by the chip, any one of the first to eighth aspects described above or each of its possible implementations is implemented The method provided by the method.

In the twenty-second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the above-mentioned aspects of the first to eighth aspects. The methods provided in any aspect or its various possible implementations.

In the twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the above-mentioned aspects of the first to eighth aspects. The methods provided in any aspect or its various possible implementations.

In a twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes: a source network device, a target network device, and a first network device on which an LMF is deployed. Wherein, the source network device is used to execute the methods related to the source network device in the various possible implementations of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, and the target network device is used to execute each of the first aspect to the eighth aspect. A method related to the target network device in a possible implementation manner, and the first network device is configured to execute the method related to the first network device in various possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the eighth aspect.

As a possible implementation manner, the communication system may further include: an access management device, the access management device is configured to perform the access management device related information in the various possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the eighth aspect; method.

The positioning method and device provided in the embodiments of the present application send the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the network device where the positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. The positioning management device is enabled to learn the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process through the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, so that the terminal device can be located. This method can avoid that the positioning management equipment on the wireless access network side cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal equipment, causing the positioning management equipment to fail to know the cell where the terminal equipment resides after the cell handover, and causing the positioning management equipment to locate the terminal equipment The problem of failure.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the existing positioning architecture of a 5G communication system;

Figure 2 is a schematic flow diagram of an existing positioning method in a 5G communication system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a positioning architecture involved in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 4 is a handover process based on the Xn interface;

Figure 5 is a handover process based on AMF network elements;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a positioning scenario provided by an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

15 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

18 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of an access management device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another network device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of another access management device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 24 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another network device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another network device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 26 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another network device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of another network device provided by an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 28 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.

Detailed ways

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the existing positioning architecture of a 5G communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the positioning architecture may include positioning management equipment (LMF network element for short), access management equipment (AMF network element for short), wireless access network equipment, and terminal equipment deployed on the core network side in the form of network elements. . The terminal device is connected to the wireless access network device in a wireless manner, the wireless access network device is connected to the AMF network element in a wireless or wired manner, and the AFM network element is connected to the LMF network element in a wireless or wired manner. FIG. 1 is only an example. The existing positioning architecture of the 5G communication system may also include other network equipment, for example, it may also include wireless relay equipment and wireless backhaul equipment, etc., which will not be repeated.

Radio access network equipment: It is the access equipment that terminal equipment accesses to the mobile communication system in a wireless manner. It can be an evolved base station eNodeB (abbreviated as eNB), 5G mobile communication system or a new generation of radio (NR) communication The base station gNB in the system, the base station in the future mobile communication system, etc. Figure 1 shows the next generation-radio access network (NG-RAN) architecture in a 5G communication system where the next-generation evolved base station (ng-eNB) and NR gNB coexist. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the radio access network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the wireless access network device is referred to as the network device. Unless otherwise specified, in the embodiments of the present application, the network device refers to the wireless access network device. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms 5G and NR may be equivalent.

Terminal equipment: It can also be called terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (mobile station, MS), mobile terminal (mobile terminal, MT), etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver functions, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, industrial control (industrial control) Wireless terminals in ), wireless terminals in unmanned driving (self-driving), wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grid (smart grid), wireless terminals in transportation safety (transportation safety) Terminals, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be movable.

Wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on airborne aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment.

The wireless access network device and the terminal device can communicate through a licensed spectrum, or communicate through an unlicensed spectrum, or communicate through a licensed spectrum and an unlicensed spectrum at the same time. The wireless access network equipment and the terminal equipment can communicate through the frequency spectrum below 6 gigahertz (gigahertz, GHz), communicate through the frequency spectrum above 6 GHz, and can also use the frequency spectrum below 6 GHz and the frequency spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. Communication. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the spectrum resource used between the radio access network device and the terminal device.

AMF network element: the interface between network equipment and the core network, which can manage the access of terminal equipment to the core network, such as: terminal equipment access control, terminal equipment mobility management, terminal equipment attachment and detachment, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF network element can also trigger the LMF network element to locate the terminal device, and is responsible for forwarding positioning related messages between the terminal device and the LMF network element, and positioning related messages between the network device and the LMF network element Of forwarding. This application only uses AMF network elements as an example of access management equipment to introduce the positioning method provided by this application. Access management equipment with similar functions to AMF network elements in other or new generation communication systems is also included in the scope of protection of this application. This application does not limit this.

LMF network element: The terminal device can be positioned based on the positioning request of the AMF network element (positioning may also be referred to as positioning measurement, which is not distinguished in this embodiment of the application). When locating the terminal equipment, the LMF network element can determine the positioning method used for the terminal equipment and the network equipment for positioning the terminal equipment. It should be understood that the function of the LMF network element mentioned here may also be referred to as the function of the LMF. It can also be said that the LMF network element is used to implement the function of the LMF. This application only uses LMF as an example of positioning management equipment to introduce the positioning method provided by this application. Positioning management equipment with similar functions to LMF in other or new generation communication systems is also included in the scope of protection of this application, and this application does not do anything about it. limited.

Hereinafter, taking the positioning architecture shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the existing positioning method in the 5G communication system will be explained and introduced. Fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of an existing positioning method in a 5G communication system. As shown in Figure 2, the method may include:

S201. The AMF network element sends a location service request (location service request) message to the LMF network element on the core network side. Wherein, the location service request message is used to request the location of the terminal device.

The location service of the terminal device can be initiated by the AMF network element when the location information of the terminal device is needed, that is, when the AMF network element needs the location information of the terminal device, it can send a location service request message to the LMF network element to trigger the LMF network element Position the terminal equipment. The location service of the terminal device can also be initiated by a core network entity, such as a gateway mobile location center (gateway mobile location center, GMLC) entity. That is, after the AMF network element receives the location request from the core network entity, it can forward the location service request message to the LMF network element to trigger the LMF network element to locate the terminal device.

S202. The LMF network element and the network device and the terminal device execute a positioning process.

After the LMF network element receives the location service request sent by the network element, it can determine the network device to locate the terminal device (for example, the network device of the cell where the terminal device currently resides, and the neighboring network device, etc.), and determine the terminal device The positioning method used by the device. For example, the LMF network element may determine the positioning method used for the terminal device based on one or more of the capabilities of the terminal device, the network device's ability to locate the terminal device, and related information included in the positioning service request. The positioning method mentioned here may be, for example, an uplink positioning method or a downlink positioning method. Exemplarily, the so-called downlink positioning method may be, for example, a downlink-time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning method.

It should be understood that, when the above positioning process is executed, the interaction messages between the LMF network element and the network device and the terminal device can all be forwarded through the AMF network element.

S203. The LMF network element sends a location service response message to the AMF network element.

The location service response message is used to indicate the location information of the terminal device, for example, the latitude and longitude coordinates of the terminal device. It should be understood that if the location service of the terminal device is initiated by the core network entity, the AMF network element forwards the location service response message to the core network entity after receiving the location service response message.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a positioning architecture involved in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, with the evolution of 5G technology, a preliminary idea of deploying LMF in network equipment is currently proposed so that the network equipment has a positioning function. For example, by using the LMF as a function of the network device, the LMF is deployed on the network device. In this implementation, if the network device is a network device with a separate architecture of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), then the LMF can be the centralized unit-control plane (central unit-control) of the network device. plane, a function of CU-CP).

Or, deploy the LMF on the network device by using the LMF as the logical node of the network device. In this implementation mode, if the network device is a network device with a separate CU and DU architecture, the LMF can be connected to the CU of the network device.

Or, the LMF is used as the logical node of the radio access network NG-RAN architecture. In this implementation mode, the LMF can be connected to a group of network devices through a new interface or an extension of an existing interface.

It should be understood that FIG. 3 is only a schematic diagram of the architecture that characterizes the deployment of the LMF on the network device, and does not constitute a limitation on the implementation manner of deploying the LMF on the network device. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the naming of the "LMF deployed on the network device" in each communication system. For example, in 5G or future mobile communication systems, the term LMF may still be used, or the LMF to be deployed on network equipment may also be called a local location management function (LLMF), or a location management component (location management component). management component, LMC), etc. The following embodiments take LMF as an example for illustration.

Through the above method, the LMF can be deployed on the side of the radio access network, or in other words, the positioning function can be deployed on the side of the radio access network. Optionally, the LMF can be deployed on all network devices in the 5G communication system, or it can be deployed on some network devices. In a 5G communication system where LMF is only deployed on some network devices, when using a network device that does not deploy LMF to locate terminal devices, the terminal device positioning process can still be performed through the LMF network element on the core network side of the 5G communication system , Such as the positioning process shown in Figure 2.

Under the positioning architecture shown in Figure 3, when the LMF deployed on the network device is used to locate the terminal device, the AMF network element can send a location service request message to the LMF located on the network device, so that the LMF locates terminal equipment. Regarding the implementation manner of the terminal device positioning by the LMF on the network device, reference may be made to the manner in which the LMF on the core network side locates the terminal device shown in FIG.

The mobile management of terminal equipment (mobile management, MM) refers to the management of the location information, security, and business continuity of mobile terminal equipment. Through the MM of the terminal equipment, we can strive to make the terminal equipment and the network contact state reach the best, so as to provide guarantee for the application of various network services. When carrying out mobility management of terminal equipment, the network equipment to which the cell currently in which the terminal equipment belongs (ie the source network equipment) can make a handover decision (ie handover decision) to decide whether to switch the terminal equipment from the cell under the source network equipment To the cell under the target network device. For example, the source network device can decide whether to trigger the handover process based on the measurement report reported by the terminal device or based on internal load sharing and other reasons. Exemplarily, if the source network device determines that the terminal device moves from the coverage area of cell A (a cell under the source network device) to the coverage area of cell B (a cell under the target network device) based on the measurement report reported by the terminal device , The source network device can perform a handover procedure with the target network device to switch the terminal device from cell A to cell B to camp on.

When the source network device decides to switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, if there is an Xn interface connection between the source network device and the target network device, the source network device and the target network device can be directly connected Communication, the source network device and the target network device can perform a handover procedure based on the Xn interface to switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device. Fig. 4 is a handover procedure based on the Xn interface. As shown in Fig. 4, the method may include:

S401: The source network device sends a handover request to the target network device.

Among them, a handover request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S402: The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the source network device.

After the target network device receives the handover request, it can perform access control (that is, admission control) to decide whether to allow the terminal device to access the target network device. If the target network device allows the terminal device to access the target network device, the target network device sends a handover request acknowledgment (handover request ACK) to the source network device. Wherein, the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the preamble sequence number for non-competitive access.

S403: The source network device sends a switching command to the terminal device.

The handover command is used to instruct the terminal device to access the target network device. The handover command may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

S404: The terminal device executes the process of accessing the target network device.

After receiving the handover command, the terminal device can access the target network device and reside in the cell under the target network device indicated by the handover command.

When the source network device decides to switch the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, if there is no Xn interface connection between the source network device and the target network device, the source network device and the target network device cannot In direct communication, the source network device and the target network device can execute a handover procedure based on the AMF network element, so as to send related messages in the handover procedure to the other party through the AMF network element. Fig. 5 is a handover procedure based on AMF network elements. As shown in Fig. 5, the method may include:

S501: The source network device sends a handover request to the AMF network element.

Wherein, the handover request (handover required) is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S502. The AMF network element sends a handover request to the target network device.

The handover request (handover request) is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S503: The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the AMF network element.

After the target network device receives the handover request, it can perform access control (that is, admission control) to determine whether to allow the terminal device to access the target network device. If the target network device allows the terminal device to access the target network device, the target network device sends a handover request acknowledgment (handover request ACK) to the AMF network element. Wherein, the switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the preamble sequence number for non-contention access.

S504. The AMF network element sends a handover command to the source network device.

The handover command is used to instruct the terminal device to access the target network device.

S505: The source network device sends a switching command to the terminal device.

Among them, the handover command is used to instruct the terminal device to access the target network device. The handover command may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

S506: The terminal device executes the process of accessing the target network device.

For the description of steps S505 to S506, please refer to the description of the foregoing steps S403 and S404, which will not be repeated here.

As mentioned above, under the positioning architecture shown in Figure 1, the LMF network element is located on the core network side. When the LMF network element locates the terminal device, even if the terminal device switches from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, the LMF network element can still learn the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs. Therefore, the LMF network element can continue to locate the terminal device. Under the positioning architecture shown in Figure 3, when the LMF on the side of the wireless access network is used to locate the terminal device, the terminal device switches from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device. The LMF cannot perceive that the terminal device has undergone a cell handover, so that the LMF cannot learn the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover, which causes the problem of the LMF's failure to locate the terminal device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a positioning scenario provided by an embodiment of the application. As shown in Figure 6, it is assumed that when the terminal device is located in the cell under the network device 1, the LMF on the network device 3 starts positioning the terminal device. In the positioning process, the terminal device switches from the cell under the network device 1 to the cell under the network device 2 through the handover process shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5. In this scenario, because the LMF on the network device 3 does not know that the terminal device is handed over from the cell under the network device 1 to the cell under the network device 2, therefore, the LMF on the network device 3 will still report the location-related information of the terminal device Sent to network device 1, causing the terminal device to fail to locate. Similarly, the network device 2 does not know which network device the LMF associated with the terminal device is on. Therefore, the network device 2 cannot deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the LMF on the network device 3.

Therefore, when using the LMF deployed on the network equipment to locate the terminal equipment, that is, when using the LMF on the radio access network side to locate the terminal equipment, how to make the LMF know the terminal equipment after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process The residential area is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

Taking into account the above problems, the embodiment of the present application provides a positioning method, which sends the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the network where the LMF for positioning the terminal device is deployed The device enables the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device to learn the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process through the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, so that it can Position the terminal equipment. This method can avoid the problem that the LMF on the radio access network side cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal device, which causes the LMF to be unable to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover, and causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

It should be understood that the positioning method provided by the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the schematic diagram of the positioning architecture under the 5G communication system shown in FIG. 3, and can also be applied to other communication systems where the LMF on the radio access network side is used to position the terminal device The positioning structure of this article will not be repeated here.

The foregoing sending the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device may include the following methods:

The first method: When the source network device and the target network device execute the handover process based on the Xn interface, the terminal device is switched from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, and the terminal device is removed from the source network device The identity of the cell where the target network device resides after switching to the target network device is sent to the first network device where the LMF positioned for the terminal device is deployed. That is, when the handover procedure based on the Xn interface is executed, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after handing over from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the first network device. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF that locates the terminal device. It should be understood that in this implementation manner, there is an Xn interface connection between the source network device and the target network device, that is, the source network device and the target network device can communicate directly.

The second method: in the process of switching the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device during the switching process based on the AMF network element between the source network device and the target network device, remove the terminal device from the source network The identity of the cell where the device resides after switching to the target network device is sent to the first network device where the LMF for positioning the terminal device is deployed. That is, when the handover procedure based on the AMF network element is executed, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after handing over from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the first network device. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF that locates the terminal device. It should be understood that in this implementation manner, there is no Xn interface connection between the source network device and the target network device, that is, the source network device and the target network device cannot communicate directly.

The third method: After the source network device and the target network device perform the handover procedure based on the Xn interface or the handover procedure based on the AMF network element, the terminal device is handed over from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device. When the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the switch from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the terminal device location, And it is located at the LMF on the side without access network. That is, after the terminal device successfully accesses the cell under the target network device, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the first network device. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF that locates the terminal device.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments.

It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the naming of the "LMF deployed on the network device" in each communication system. For example, in 5G or future mobile communication systems, the term LMF may still be used, or the LMF to be deployed on network equipment may also be called a local location management function (LLMF), or a location management component (location management component). management component, LMC), etc. The following embodiments only take LMF as an example for illustration. In other possible implementation manners, LMF can also be replaced with LLMF or LMC.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method provided by an embodiment of the application. This embodiment relates to the switching process between the source network device and the target network device based on the Xn interface. When the terminal device is switched from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device, the source network device transfers the terminal device from the source network device The process of sending the identity of the cell where the target network device resides after switching to the target network device to the first network device where the LMF positioned for the terminal device is deployed. As shown in Figure 7, the method may include:

S701: The source network device sends a handover request to the target network device.

Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request. Wherein, the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S702: The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the source network device.

Correspondingly, the source network device receives the handover request confirmation. Wherein, the handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the preamble sequence number for non-contention access.

For the description of steps S701-S702, please refer to the description of steps S401-S402 in the foregoing embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

S703: The source network device sends a first message to the first network device.

Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first message. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

It should be understood that the first message may be a newly added message or an existing message, that is, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device may be included in the newly added message. The command can also be included in the existing signaling. For example, the first message may be a next-generation radio access network node configuration update (NG-RAN node configuration update) message.

S704: The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, if the LMF locates the terminal device, the source network device can switch the terminal device from the source network device to the cell where the target network device resides when the target network device allows the terminal device to access the target network device. The identifier is sent to the first network device where the LMF is deployed. In other words, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF learns the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process through the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, so that the terminal device can be located. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem that the LMF cannot perceive that the terminal device has undergone a cell handover, which causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs, and causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. The identification of the target network device may be, for example, the ID of the target network device, and the identification of the terminal device may be, for example, the TMSI of the terminal device. In this implementation manner, the first network device can locate the terminal device according to the identity of the cell, and the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device. By sending the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device, and the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device, the LMF can be accurately and quickly learned The cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover has further improved the positioning efficiency.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment differs in that the source network device also sends the location information of the LMF to the target network device. As shown in Figure 8, the method may include:

S801: The source network device sends a handover request to the target network device.

Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request. Wherein, the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. Different from the existing handover request message, the handover request message in this embodiment contains the location information of the LMF. For example, the location information may be the identification of the first network device where the LMF is deployed. Exemplarily, the location information of the LMF may be the ID of the first network device.

S802: The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the source network device.

Correspondingly, the source network device receives the handover request confirmation. Wherein, the handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the preamble sequence number for non-contention access. For a detailed description of step S802, please refer to the foregoing description of step S402, which will not be repeated here.

S803: The source network device sends a first message to the first network device.

Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first message. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Optionally, in some embodiments, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device.

S804: The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, if the LMF is locating the terminal device, the source network device may send the location information of the LMF to the target network device when sending a handover request to the target network device. In this way, the target network device can be informed that the above-mentioned LMF is locating the terminal device, and the LMF is deployed on the known first network device, so that after the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device, it can be ensured The target network device can timely deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the LMF through the first network device, without waiting for an instruction from the LMF, thereby improving the positioning efficiency.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of the application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent by the target network device to the LMF deployed to locate the terminal device. Of the first network device. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

S901: The source network device sends a handover request to the target network device.

Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request. The switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The switching request includes the location information of the LMF. For the description of step S901, please refer to the foregoing description of step S801, which will not be repeated here.

S902: The target network device sends a first message to the first network device.

Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first message. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Optionally, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device.

It should be understood that the first message may be a newly added message or signaling, or the information contained in the first message may be carried in an existing message or signaling. For example, the first message may be an NG-RAN node configuration update message.

S903. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, the target network device can learn that the LMF locates the terminal device according to the location information of the LMF included in the handover request sent by the source network device, and that the LMF is deployed on the first network device. Then, after the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to access the target network device, it can send the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device where the LMF is deployed. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device can learn the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process through the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device. Position the terminal equipment. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem that the LMF cannot perceive that the terminal device has undergone a cell handover, which causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs, and causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

Regarding how the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, refer to the prior art. For example, the target network device can decide whether to allow the terminal device to access the target network device through access control (ie admission control).

Optionally, in some embodiments, the foregoing method further includes:

Step S904: The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the source network device.

Among them, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of step S902 and step S904. For example, after the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, step S902 and step S904 can be performed simultaneously, or step S902 can be performed first and then step S904, or step S904 can be performed first and then step S902.

For the description of step S904, please refer to the foregoing description of step S402, which will not be repeated here.

The embodiments shown in Figures 7 to 9 describe the first way, that is, there is an Xn interface connection between the source network device and the target network device, that is, when the source network device and the target network device can communicate directly, how to connect the terminal The identity of the cell where the device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the process of deploying the LMF for positioning the terminal device. The following Figures 10 to 14 describe the source network device from the second way, that is, from the perspective that there is no Xn interface connection between the source network device and the target network device, that is, the source network device and the target network device cannot communicate directly During the handover process with the target network device based on the AMF network element, how to switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device after switching the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides is sent to the LMF deployed to locate the terminal device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. This embodiment relates to the source network device and the target network device switching the terminal device from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device through the handover process based on the AMF network element, the target network device switches the terminal device from the source The identity of the cell where the network device resides after switching to the target network device is sent to the process of locating the terminal device and the LMF located on the side without the access network. As shown in Figure 10, the method may include:

S1001. The source network device sends a handover request to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the handover request. The switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S1002. The AMF network element sends a handover request to the target network device.

After receiving the handover request sent by the source network device, the AMF network element may include the location information of the LMF located on the terminal device in the handover request and send it to the target network device. The location information of the LMF may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request.

S1003. The target network device sends a first message to the first network device.

S1004. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, the target network device can learn that the LMF locates the terminal device according to the location information of the LMF included in the handover request sent by the AMF network element, and that the LMF is deployed on the first network device. The location information of the LMF may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Then, after the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to access the target network device, it can send the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device where the LMF is deployed. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device can use the terminal device to switch from the source network device to the target network device after switching to the target network device. After the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, it can learn that the terminal device is in The cell where the cell stays after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, so that the terminal device can be positioned. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem that the LMF cannot detect that the terminal device has undergone a cell handover, which causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, and causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the foregoing method further includes:

Step S1005: The target network device sends the handover request confirmation to the AMF network element.

The switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

Among them, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of step S1003 and step S1005. For example, after the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, it can perform step S1003 and step S1005 at the same time, or perform step S1003 first and then perform step S1005, or perform step S1005 first and then perform step S1005. S1003.

For the description of step S1005, please refer to the foregoing description of step S503, which will not be repeated here.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, this embodiment differs in that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent by the AMF network element to the LMF. As shown in Figure 11, the method includes:

S1101. The source network device sends a handover request to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the handover request. Wherein, the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S1102. The AMF network element sends a handover request to the target network device.

Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request.

S1103. The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the handover request confirmation. The switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

S1104. The AMF network element sends a first message to the first network device.

Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first message. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Optionally, in some embodiments, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device.

It should be understood that the first message may be a newly added message or signaling, or the information contained in the first message may be carried in an existing message or signaling. For example, the first message may be an access management function status indication message (ie, AMF status indication message).

S1105. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, based on the received handover request confirmation, the AMF network element confirms that the target network device is allowed to connect the terminal device to the target network device, and then the terminal device can be switched from the source network device to the cell where the target network device resides. The identifier of is sent to the first network device where the LMF is deployed. In other words, the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device can use the terminal device to switch to the target network device after switching to the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides. After the terminal device is switched to the target network device, it can learn the cell where the terminal device resides, so that it can communicate with the terminal device. Device positioning. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem that the LMF cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal device, which causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover, which causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the foregoing method further includes:

Step S1106: The AMF network element sends a handover command to the source network device.

Among them, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of step S1106 and step S1104. For example, after the AMF network element confirms that the target network device is allowed to connect the terminal device to the target network device, it can perform step S1104 and step S1106 at the same time, or it can perform step S1104 and then step S1106, or it can perform step S1106 and then step S1106. S1104.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, this embodiment differs in that the AMF network element also sends the location information of the LMF to the target network device. As shown in Figure 12, the method may include:

S1201. The source network device sends a handover request to the AMF network element.

S1202. The AMF network element sends a handover request to the target network device.

S1203. The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the handover request confirmation. The switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. Wherein, the handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the preamble sequence number for non-competitive access.

S1204. The AMF network element sends a first message to the first network device.

S1205. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, the target network device can learn that the LMF is locating the terminal device according to the location information of the LMF included in the handover request sent by the AMF network element, and that the LMF is deployed on the first network device. The location information of the LMF may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. In this way, after the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device, it can be ensured that the target network device can promptly deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the LMF through the first network device, without waiting for the LMF. Instructions, improve the positioning efficiency.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the foregoing method further includes:

Step S1206: The AMF network element sends a handover command to the source network device.

It should be noted that step S1206 is an optional method step, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of step S1206 and step S1204. For example, after the AMF network element confirms that the target network device is allowed to connect the terminal device to the target network device, it can perform step S1204 and step S1206 at the same time, or perform step S1204 first and then perform step S1206, or perform step S1206 first and then perform step S1206. S1204.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of the application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, this embodiment differs in that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent by the source network device to the LMF. As shown in Figure 13, the method includes:

S1301. The source network device sends a handover request to the AMF network element.

S1302. The AMF network element sends a handover request to the target network device.

Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request.

S1303. The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the handover request confirmation. The switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. Wherein, the handover request confirmation may include information required by the terminal device to access the target network device, for example, the preamble sequence number for non-contention access.

S1304. The AMF network element sends a handover command to the source network device.

Correspondingly, the source network device receives the switching command.

S1305. The source network device sends a first message to the first network device.

S1306. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, based on the received handover request confirmation, the source network device confirms that the target network device allows the terminal device to access the target network device, and then the terminal device can be switched from the source network device to the cell where the target network device resides. The identification is sent to the first network device where the LMF is deployed. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device can use the terminal device to switch from the source network device to the target network device and the cell identity where it resides. After the terminal device switches from the source network device to the target network device, it can learn that the terminal device resides. The remaining cell, which can locate the terminal equipment. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem that the LMF cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal device, which causes the LMF to fail to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover, which causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, this embodiment differs in that the AMF network element also sends the location information of the LMF to the target network device. As shown in Figure 14, the method includes:

S1401. The source network device sends a handover request to the AMF network element.

S1402. The AMF network element sends a handover request to the target network device.

After receiving the handover request sent by the source network device, the AMF network element may include the location information of the LMF located on the terminal device in the handover request and send it to the target network device. The LMF is deployed on the first network device, and the location information of the LMF may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Correspondingly, the target network device receives the handover request.

S1403. The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the AMF network element.

S1404. The AMF network element sends a handover command to the source network device.

Correspondingly, the source network device receives the switching command.

S1405. The source network device sends a first message to the first network device.

S1406. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, the target network device can learn that the LMF is locating the terminal device according to the location information of the LMF included in the handover request sent by the AMF network element, and that the LMF is deployed on the first network device. In this way, after the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device, it can be ensured that the target network device can promptly deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the LMF through the first network device, without waiting for the LMF. Instructions, improve the positioning efficiency.

The embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 14 all describe how to switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device during the process of the terminal device handing over from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device. The process of sending the identity of the cell where it resides to the LMF for locating the terminal device does not fully describe the cell handover process of the terminal device. Those skilled in the art can understand that on the basis of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 14, the source network device, target network device, terminal device, AMF network element, etc. may also perform other steps in the handover process. I won't repeat them here.

The following embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 relate to how to switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device after the terminal device is switched from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device. The identity of the reserved cell is sent to the LMF that locates the terminal device, so that the LMF knows the cell where the terminal device that has undergone cell handover resides. That is, what is described is the process after the source network device and the target network device complete the handover process, and the terminal device accesses the cell under the target network device.

It should be understood that the following embodiments shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 do not limit the handover process performed by the source network device and the target network device. For example, the source network device and the target network device can switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device through the switching process shown in Figure 4, or the source network device and the target network device can switch over the switching process shown in Figure 5 , Switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device, no more details.

FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. This embodiment relates to the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device after the terminal device switches from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device. The process of locating the LMF on the side of the terminal without access network. As shown in Figure 15, the method may include:

S1501. The target network device sends a path switching request to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the path switching request, where the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. For example, switching the service data channel of the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device, etc.

S1502. The AMF network element sends a path switch request confirmation to the target network device.

After confirming that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, the AMF network element may send a path switch request confirmation to the target network device. The path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the path switch request confirmation may include the location information of the LMF located on the terminal device. The LMF is deployed on the first network device, and the location information of the LMF may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Correspondingly, the target network device receives the path switching request confirmation.

S1503. The target network device sends a first message to the first network device.

S1504. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, the target network device can learn that the LMF is locating the terminal device according to the location information of the LMF included in the path switching request confirmation sent by the AMF network element, and that the LMF is deployed on the first network device. Then, the target network device may send the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the first network device where the LMF is deployed. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device can learn about the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process through the terminal device handover to the target network device and the cell identity, so that the terminal device can be Positioning. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem of the LMF being unable to perceive the cell handover of the terminal device to cause the LMF to be unable to know the cell where the terminal device resides, which causes the failure of positioning the terminal device.

FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, this embodiment differs in that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device is sent by the AMF network element to the LMF. As shown in Figure 16, the method may include:

S1601. The target network device sends a path switching request to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives a path switch request (path switch request), where the path switch request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S1602. The AMF network element sends a path switching request confirmation to the target network device.

After confirming that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, the AMF network element may send a path switch request ACK (path switch request ACK) to the target network device. The path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device. Correspondingly, the target network device receives the path switching request confirmation.

S1603. The AMF network element sends a first message to the first network device.

This embodiment does not limit the execution sequence of the above steps S1602 and S1603. For example, after the AMF network element confirms that the data information of the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device, it can perform steps S1602 and S1603 at the same time, or perform step S1602 first and then perform step S1603, or perform step S1603 first and then step S1603. Step S1602 is executed.

S1604. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, after confirming that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, the AMF network element may send the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after the switch to the target network device to The first network device with LMF deployed. It can also be said that the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching to the target network device is sent to the LMF. In this way, the LMF deployed on the side of the first network device can learn about the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process through the terminal device handover to the target network device and the cell identity, so that the terminal device can be Positioning. With this method, it is possible to avoid the problem of the LMF being unable to perceive the cell handover of the terminal device to cause the LMF to be unable to know the cell where the terminal device resides, which causes the failure of positioning the terminal device.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, this embodiment differs in that the AMF network element also sends the location information of the LMF to the target network device. As shown in Figure 17, the method may include:

S1701. The target network device sends a path switching request to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the path switching request, where the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device.

S1702. The AMF network element sends a path switch request confirmation to the target network device.

After confirming that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, the AMF network element may send a path switch request confirmation to the target network device. The path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the path switch request confirmation includes the location information of the LMF positioned for the terminal device. Correspondingly, the target network device receives the path switching request confirmation.

S1703. The AMF network element sends a first message to the first network device.

Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first message. Wherein, the first message includes the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Optionally, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message may further include the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device.

This embodiment does not limit the execution sequence of the above steps S1702 and S1703. For example, after the AMF network element confirms that the data information of the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device, it can execute the above steps S1702 and S1703 at the same time, or it can execute step S1702 and then execute step S1703, or it can execute step S1703 first. Step S1702 is executed again.

S1704. The LMF of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

In this embodiment, the target network device can learn that the LMF is locating the terminal device according to the location information of the LMF contained in the path switch request confirmation sent by the AMF network element, and that the LMF is deployed on a known first network device on. In this way, it can be ensured that the target network device can timely deliver the positioning-related messages sent by the terminal device to the LMF through the first network device, without waiting for instructions from the LMF, thereby improving the positioning efficiency.

The embodiments shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 all describe how to switch the terminal device from the source network device to the target network device after the terminal device is switched from the cell under the source network device to the cell under the target network device and then reside The process of sending the identification of the cell to the LMF for locating the terminal device does not fully expand the handover process describing the data information of the terminal device. Those skilled in the art can understand that, on the basis of the embodiments shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, the source network device, target network device, terminal device, AMF network element, etc. can also execute the data information of the terminal device and other Other steps in the related information switching process will not be repeated here.

Optionally, in some embodiments, the handover request sent by the source network device to the target network device does not include the location information of the LMF.

In addition, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 17 above, the source network device and the first network device, or the target network device and the first network device can interact directly through the Xn interface connection, or through other networks. The device interaction may also be through device interaction on the core network side (for example, an AMF network element), which is not limited.

As mentioned above, the embodiment of this application relates to a solution in which the LMF is located on the side of the wireless access network, or in other words, the positioning function is located on the side of the wireless access network, which can be implemented only on some network devices in the communication system. That is, LMF is only deployed on part of the network equipment of the communication system. In this scenario, a network device can, for example, communicate whether it has LMF capabilities to other network devices, or whether it has LMF capabilities to other network devices, or whether it has deployed LMF Information is passed to other network equipment, etc. The following is an example of whether it has LMF capability.

The first way: when establishing an Xn interface connection between network devices, pass whether it has LMF capability to other network devices.

FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Taking the establishment of an Xn interface connection between network device A and network device B as an example, as shown in FIG. 18, the method may include:

S1801. The network device B sends an Xn establishment request to the network device A. S1801.

Correspondingly, the network device A receives the Xn setup request (that is, Xn setup request). The Xn establishment request is used to request the establishment of an Xn interface connection between network device B and network device A. The Xn establishment request may include the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the network device B has LMF capability.

For example, the first indication information may be an information element (information element, IE) in the Xn establishment request, and the value of the IE may be "yes" or "no". When the value is "Yes", it means that it has LMF capability. When the value is "No", it means that it does not have the LMF capability.

S1802. The network device A sends an Xn establishment response to the network device B. S1802.

Correspondingly, the network device B receives the Xn setup response (that is, Xn setup response). The Xn establishment response is used to confirm the establishment of the Xn interface connection between the network device B and the network device A. The Xn establishment response may also include second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the network device A has the LMF capability.

For example, the second indication information may be an IE in the Xn establishment response, and the value of the IE may be "yes" or "no". When the value is "Yes", it means that it has LMF capability. When the value is "No", it means that it does not have the LMF capability.

The second way: when the network devices perform configuration updates, they pass whether they have the LMF capability to other network devices.

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of this application. Taking the configuration update of network device A and network device B as an example, as shown in FIG. 19, the method may include:

S1901. The network device B sends a network device configuration update message to the network device A. S1901.

Correspondingly, network device A receives the network device configuration update (NG-Ran node configuration update) message. The network device configuration update message is used to indicate the updated configuration information of the network device B to the network device A. The network device configuration update message may include third indication information. The third indication information is used to indicate whether the network device B has LMF capability.

For example, the third indication information may be an information element (information element, IE) in the network device configuration update message, and the value of the IE may be "yes" or "no". When the value is "Yes", it means that it has LMF capability. When the value is "No", it means that it does not have the LMF capability.

S1902. The network device A sends a network device configuration update confirmation message to the network device B. S1902.

Correspondingly, the network device B receives the network device configuration update confirmation (ie, NG-Ran node configuration update acknowledge) message. The network device configuration update confirmation message is used to confirm that network device A has received the configuration update message. The network device configuration update confirmation message may also include fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the network device A has LMF capability.

For example, the fourth indication information may be an IE in the network device configuration update confirmation message, and the value of the IE may be "yes" or "no". When the value is "Yes", it means that it has LMF capability. When the value is "No", it means that it does not have the LMF capability.

From the above description, it can be seen that the network equipment in the communication system can learn whether other network equipment is deployed with LMF, or in other words, the network equipment can learn the location of the LMF on the side of the radio access network. The way of learning includes but is not limited to the above figure. 18 and Figure 19 shows the way. That is to say, the target network device involved in the foregoing embodiment can learn that the LMF is deployed on the first network device through other means, and that the LMF locates the terminal device (for example, the target network device can interact with the first network device to determine the first network device). An object that the LMF of a network device locates). In this implementation mode, in the embodiments shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 16, the message sent to the target network device may no longer contain LMF information. location information. At this time, corresponding to the embodiments shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 15, the target network device can directly send the aforementioned first message to the first network device, so that the LMF located on the first network device can learn about the terminal The cell where the device resides after the cell handover occurs during the positioning process, so that the terminal device can be positioned.

The positioning method provided in the embodiments of the application sends the identification of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device to the network device where the LMF for positioning the terminal device is deployed, so that the LMF can pass through the terminal The identity of the cell where the device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device learns the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell switch occurs during the positioning process, so that the terminal device can be located. This method can avoid the problem that the LMF on the radio access network side cannot perceive the cell handover of the terminal device, which causes the LMF to be unable to know the cell where the terminal device resides after the cell handover, and causes the LMF to fail to locate the terminal device.

FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 20, the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes: a sending module 11 and a receiving module 12.

The sending module 11 is configured to send a path switching request to the access management device, and the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module 12 is configured to receive a path switch request confirmation from the access management device, and the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device, for example, the path The handover request confirmation includes the location information of the location management device that locates the terminal device, and the location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identifier of the first network device. Among them, the positioning management device is deployed in the first network device. The sending module 11 is further configured to send a first message to the first network device, where the first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.

The target network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can execute the actions of the target network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 15 above, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and will not be repeated here.

FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of an access management device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 21, the access management device includes: a receiving module 21 and a sending module 22.

The receiving module 21 is configured to receive a path switching request from the target network device, and the path switching request is used to request the data information and other related information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module 22 is configured to send a path switch request confirmation to the target network device, and the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information and other related information of the terminal device are switched from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module 22 is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Device location The network device of the location management device.

The access management device provided by the embodiment of the present application can perform the actions of the access management device taking the AMF network element as an example in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 17, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar. No longer.

FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another network device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 22, the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes: a receiving module 31, a processing module 32, and a sending module 33.

Wherein, the receiving module 31 is configured to receive a handover request from the access management device, the handover request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the handover request includes the location management device location for the terminal device. Location information. The location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Wherein, the positioning management device is deployed on the first network device. The processing module 32 is configured to, after confirming that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, control the sending module 33 to send a first message to the first network device, the first message including the terminal device switching from the source network device to the target network The identity of the cell where the device resides behind.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending module 33 is also used to send a handover request confirmation to the access management device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

The target network device provided by the embodiment of the present application can execute the actions of the target network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and will not be repeated here.

FIG. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of another access management device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 23, the access management device includes: a sending module 41 and a receiving module 42.

The sending module 41 is configured to send a switching request to the target network device, and the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module 42 is configured to receive a handover request confirmation from the target network device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module 41 is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Device location The network device of the location management device.

The access management device provided by the embodiment of the present application can perform the actions of the access management device taking the AMF network element as an example in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 12, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar. No longer.

FIG. 24 is a schematic structural diagram of another network device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 24, the network device is a source network device, and the source network device includes: a sending module 51 and a receiving module 52.

The sending module 51 is configured to send a switching request to the access management device, and the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module 52 is configured to receive a handover request confirmation from the access management device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module 51 is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Device location The network device of the location management device.

The source network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can perform the actions of the source network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 14. The implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

FIG. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of another network device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 25, the network device is a source network device, and the source network device includes: a sending module 61 and a receiving module 62.

The sending module 61 is configured to send a switching request to the target network device, and the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The receiving module 62 is configured to receive a handover request confirmation from the target network device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device. The sending module 61 is further configured to send a first message to the first network device. The first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Device location The network device of the location management device.

The source network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can perform the actions of the source network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 8, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and will not be repeated here.

FIG. 26 is a schematic structural diagram of another network device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 26, the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes: a receiving module 71, a processing module 72, and a sending module 73.

The receiving module 71 is used to receive a handover request from the source network device. The handover request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device. The handover request includes the location of the location management device for the terminal device. The information, the location information of the location management device may be, for example, the identification of the first network device. Among them, the positioning management device is deployed in the first network device. The processing module 72 is configured to, after confirming that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, control the sending module 73 to send a first message to the first network device, the first message including the terminal device switching from the source network device to the target network The identity of the cell where the device resides behind.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending module 73 is also used to send a handover request confirmation to the source network device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.

The target network device provided by the embodiment of the present application can perform the actions of the target network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 9 above, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and will not be repeated here.

FIG. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another network device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 27, the network device is a first network device, and the first network device includes: a receiving module 81 and a positioning management module 82.

Wherein, the receiving module 81 is configured to receive a first message from a target network device, or a source network device, or an access management device, and the first message includes information about the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. Identifies that the first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed. The positioning management module 82 is configured to locate the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The location management module may be, for example, the location management device deployed on the first network device as described in the foregoing method embodiment.

In a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device. In this implementation manner, the positioning management module 82 can locate the terminal device according to the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching to the target network device, and the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device.

The first network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can perform the actions of the first network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 17, and its implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

It should be noted that it should be understood that the above receiving module may be a receiver or a communication interface when actually implemented, and the sending module may be a transmitter or a communication interface when actually implemented. The processing module and the positioning management module can be implemented in the form of software calling through processing elements; they can also be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, the processing module may be a separate processing element, or it may be integrated in a chip of the above-mentioned device for implementation. In addition, it may also be stored in the memory of the above-mentioned device in the form of program code, and a certain processing element of the above-mentioned device Call and execute the functions of the above processing module. In addition, all or part of these modules can be integrated together or implemented independently. The processing element described here may be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above modules may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor element or instructions in the form of software.

For example, the above modules may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or one or more microprocessors (digital signal processor, DSP), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), etc. For another example, when one of the above modules is implemented in the form of processing element scheduling program code, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processors that can call program codes. For another example, these modules can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

FIG. 28 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 28, the communication device may include: a processor 91 (such as a CPU) and a memory 92; the memory 92 may include a high-speed random-access memory (random-access memory, RAM), or may also include a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory, NVM), for example, at least one disk memory, and various instructions can be stored in the memory 92 for completing various processing functions and implementing the method steps of the present application. Optionally, the communication device involved in the present application may further include: a power supply 93, a communication bus 94, and a communication port 95. The communication bus 94 is used to implement communication connections between components. The above-mentioned communication port 95 is used to realize connection and communication between the communication device and other peripherals.

In the embodiment of the present application, the aforementioned memory 92 is used to store computer executable program code, and the program code includes instructions. When the processor 91 executes the instruction, the instruction causes the communication device to execute the action of the target network device in the foregoing method embodiment; or, when the processor 91 executes the instruction, the instruction causes the communication device to execute the action of the source network device in the foregoing method embodiment; Or, when the processor 91 executes the instruction, the instruction causes the communication device to perform the action of the first network device in the foregoing method embodiment; or, when the processor 91 executes the instruction, the instruction causes the communication device to perform the access management in the foregoing method embodiment. The operation of the device, its implementation principles and technical effects are similar, and will not be repeated here.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, it can be implemented in the form of a computer program product in whole or in part. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. Computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center through a cable (such as Coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) to transmit to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center integrated with one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD)).

Claims

A positioning method, characterized in that the method includes:

The target network device sends a path switch request to the access management device, where the path switch request is used to request the data information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device;

Receiving, by the target network device, a path switch request confirmation from the access management device, where the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information of the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device;

The target network device sends a first message to a first network device, where the first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, and the first The network device is a network device deployed with a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the path switching request confirmation includes location information of the positioning management device.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first message further contains the identification of the target network device and/or the identification of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the location information of the location management device includes the identification of the first network device.
A positioning method, characterized in that the method includes:

The target network device receives a switching request from the access management device, the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the switching request includes the positioning management device for positioning the terminal device The location information of the location management device is deployed on the first network device;

After the target network device confirms that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, it sends a first message to the first network device, the first message containing the terminal device’s transfer from the source The identity of the cell where the network device resides after switching to the target network device.
The method according to claim 5, wherein the first message further includes an identification of the target network device and/or an identification of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the method further comprises:

The target network device sends a handover request confirmation to the access management device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device.
The method according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein the location information of the positioning management device includes an identifier of the first network device.
A positioning method, characterized in that the method includes:

The source network device sends a switching request to the target network device, where the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device;

Receiving, by the source network device, a handover request confirmation from the target network device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device;

The source network device sends a first message to a first network device, where the first message contains the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, and the first The network device is a network device deployed with a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the handover request includes location information of the positioning management device.
The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first message further contains the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the location information of the location management device includes the identification of the first network device.
A positioning method, characterized in that the method includes:

The first network device receives a first message from a target network device, or a source network device, or an access management device, where the first message includes the information that the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device An identifier of a cell, the first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed;

The location management device of the first network device locates the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.
The method according to claim 13, wherein the first message further includes an identification of the target network device and/or an identification of the terminal device.
The method according to claim 14, wherein the location management device of the first network device is based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device. The terminal device positioning includes:

The first network device locates the terminal device according to the identity of the cell, and the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device.
A network device, characterized in that the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes:

A sending module, configured to send a path switching request to an access management device, where the path switching request is used to request the data information of the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device;

A receiving module, configured to receive a path switch request confirmation from the access management device, where the path switch request confirmation is used to confirm that the data information of the terminal device is switched from the source network device to the target network device;

The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the first network device, the first message containing the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, so The first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed.
The device according to claim 16, wherein the path switching request confirmation includes location information of the positioning management device.
The device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first message further contains the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device.
The device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the location information of the location management device includes an identifier of the first network device.
A network device, characterized in that the network device is a target network device, and the target network device includes:

The receiving module is configured to receive a handover request from the access management device, the handover request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device, and the handover request includes the positioning of the terminal device Location information of the management device, where the location management device is deployed on the first network device;

The processing module is configured to control the sending module to send a first message to the first network device after confirming that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device, and the first message contains the terminal device from The identity of the cell where the source network device resides after switching to the target network device.
The device according to claim 20, wherein the first message further includes an identification of the target network device and/or an identification of the terminal device.
The device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the sending module is further configured to send a handover request confirmation to the access management device, and the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to transfer The source network device is switched to the target network device.
The device according to any one of claims 20-22, wherein the location information of the positioning management device includes an identifier of the first network device.
A network device, characterized in that the network device is a source network device, and the source network device includes:

A sending module, configured to send a switching request to a target network device, where the switching request is used to request the terminal device to be switched from the source network device to the target network device;

A receiving module, configured to receive a handover request confirmation from the target network device, where the handover request confirmation is used to confirm that the terminal device is allowed to switch from the source network device to the target network device;

The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the first network device, the first message containing the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device, so The first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed.
The device according to claim 24, wherein the handover request includes location information of the location management device.
The device according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the first message further includes an identification of the target network device and/or an identification of the terminal device.
The device according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the location information of the location management device includes an identifier of the first network device.
A network device, characterized in that the network device is a first network device, and the first network device includes:

The receiving module is configured to receive a first message from a target network device, or a source network device, or an access management device, where the first message includes that the terminal device stays after switching from the source network device to the target network device The identity of the cell in, the first network device is a network device on which a positioning management device for positioning the terminal device is deployed;

The positioning management module is configured to locate the terminal device based on the identity of the cell where the terminal device resides after switching from the source network device to the target network device.
The device according to claim 28, wherein the first message further includes an identification of the target network device and/or an identification of the terminal device.
The device according to claim 29, wherein the positioning management module is configured to, based on the identity of the cell, and the identity of the target network device and/or the identity of the terminal device, to Terminal equipment positioning.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it is used to store a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction runs on a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 .
A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product includes computer program code, and when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the positioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.
A chip, characterized in that a computer program is stored on the chip, and when the computer program is executed by the chip, the positioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is implemented.
A communication system, characterized in that the communication system comprises: the target network device according to any one of claims 16-23, the source network device according to any one of claims 24-27, and, as The first network device according to any one of claims 28-30.